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According to an article in today’s Wall Street Journal, a recent report from IDC reports that Google’s Android global market share is now at 79%, up from 69% at the end of the last year. Apple’ s market share slipped to 13% while Blackberry, once the market leader, now stands at under 3%.

Steve Mollenkopf, president and operating chief of mobile chip giant Qualcomm Inc. is quoted in the article that “You are seeing tremendous growth in the developing world. Companies selling there are picking up Android and driving that.”

What does this mean for Apple and Blackberry? Read the complete article below.

Viber is a free application for calling and texting other Viber users who have also downloaded and installed the app on their mobile phones. It works on iPhones, Androids and Blackberries. The voice quality is excellent as long as you have Internet access.

Why use Viber?

No registration required

Instantly integrates with your contact list

Excellent for making phone calls and texting globally, country to country

No need to be signed into an account – phone will ring automatically

Free when calling from a Wi-Fi area.

Available through a 3G/4G data network (calls use your data plan)

Excellent app for people who are traveling overseas who need to maintain contact with other Viber users in other countries.

If you have any questions about Viber or any other technology subjects, my phone number is 917 921 4518 or e-mail me at jblue@bluetutor.com. Please visit my website, www.bluetutor.com to register for my updates and special offers.

Tune in to my BlogTalkRadio Show to hear all about the relevant technology news of the day.

On June 28th, Verizon Wireless will introduce a new wireless data plan. The rationale for the change (which will be followed by other providers) is for them to cash in on the ever increasing demand for data services on mobile devices such as smartphones (iPhones, Androids, and Blackberries) and smaller laptops. While the news services are offering varying opinions and explanations, here are some basic things you should know about the new plan:

– The new plan only applies to smartphones and computer tablets, not iPads,

– The plan is not mandatory, current Verizon customers are not obligated to revise their existing plans.

– Based on how you use your smartphone, you can actually save money by switching to the new plan. People who are heavy data users (e-mails, Internet browsing, streaming videos, etc.) should consider the new plan.

Below is a summary of the Plan:

– There is no tiered pricing for telephone calls. Presently, 450 minutes costs $39.95 per month and the price escalates for additional minutes. Under this new plan, the only choice will be unlimited minutes and free text messaging for $40 per phone. This is a substantial savings for anyone on a plan for more minutes or an unlimited plan.

– The new data plan starts at 2GBs for $60 and goes as high as 10GBs for $100 per month, based on your usage. If you have a family plan with several phones, the data plan is shared with each of the lines. It is possible to have up to 10 mobile devices share the same plan. The present cost for 2GBs of data is $30 PER PHONE and rises for more data. According to the leading providers, most people use less than 2GBs per month unless they stream a lot of videos and music from the Internet.

– If you change to the new plan, and are presently on an unlimited data plan, you will lose it.

As I have indicated in the past, there is never a standard answer when it comes to one’s technology needs. If you are currently a Verizon customer, I suggest you call them for an evaluation of your present plan and discuss whether or not a change will save you money.

If you need a further explanation of Verizon’s new plan, or have any other technology questions, do not hesitate to contact me at 917 921-4518 or by e-mail at jblue@bluetutor.com. Feel free to click here to receive my NEW white paper, “TIPS ON BECOMING A TRUE MOBILE WARRIOR”